Bugle Summer 2026 - Flipbook - Page 33
5 RIFLES
MESS MATTERS
OFFICERS’ MESS
The Officers’ Mess has enjoyed a lively
year, with several standout events.
The Bugle Breakfast proved
memorable, with all attendees impressed
by the secret practice Major General
Reeve had been putting in after his
pitch-perfect rendition of “Scoff House”.
On being tested to recognise further
calls, Maj Tim Lush (OC Recce Strike
Coy) distinguished himself above all
other OCs; there is surely no truth in the
suggestion that the Bugle Major had
warned off his 1RO in advance.
The Christmas Ball was a more formal
affair, and we are all pleased the incredibly
frail ceilidh caller made it through a night
of exuberant dancing. Beyond the big
events, the subalterns have kept a regular
rhythm of small events going to keep the
mess morale high.
An Inter-Mess Debating night hosted
by the WOs’ and Sjts’ Mess proved a
memorable evening and allowed 2Lts Jack
Cryer (A Coy) and Jack Rowe (HQ Coy) to
employ linguistic gymnastics and deploy
vocabulary with lethal, witty precision.
Major Tom Reynolds.
PMC, Officers’ Mess
WARRANT OFFICERS AND
SERJEANTS’ MESS
The Warrant Officer’s and Serjeant’s Messes continue
to promote camaraderie and pride of upholding the
values and standards of the Regimental traditions while
navigating the transition into a modernised Armoured
Battalion.
We have been mixing it up these past couple of months
with two lines of efforts. The first has been conceptual
development including presentations on Military Ethics by Lt
Col (Revd) Matthew Coles and a debate night with the Officers’
Mess.
The second line of efforts has been the revitalisation of
mess members through social events to unwind such as
a quiz night and various football watch parties to cheer on
England into winning the third-place spot.
WO2 Jerry Wiredu
PMC, Warrant Officers and Serjeants Mess
Ex IBERIAN SUN
A Company Group deployed to northern
Spain for Ex IBERIAN SUN on a dismounted
exercise. Twinned with the Spanish “Toledo”
Battalion, the Company embarked on three
engaging and demanding weeks of training,
experimentation, integration, education and
competition.
An initial blank exercise alongside
the “Toledo” Battalion took place on the
challenging Spanish training area which
included [C(1.1]urban, rural and woodland
terrain, as well as extensive trench systems.
The exercise also provided valuable
opportunities to integrate a range of Uncrewed
Aerial Systems (UAS). With support from
the newly formed UAS platoon, A Company
tested new tactics. Reorganising around
this fundamental shift in capability a Strike
Platoon (using small UAS in reconnaissance
roles and First Person View (FPV) systems in
direct-strike capacities) was established to
support two manoeuvre platoons that could
clear objectives in detail. IBERIAN SUN has
set conditions for implementing imminent
similar shifts in sub-unit and unit tactics under
armour.
A two-day Live Fire Tactical Training
package further developed battlefield skills,
allowing the Riflemen to live fire Spanish
weapons, conduct pistol shoots and complete
a demanding live trench-clearance. The
package culminated in a joint sword lane,
which introduced our Spanish counterparts
to the traditional British test of resilience and
determination.
Away from training, a friendly rivalry
emerged during a sports day featuring football,
rugby and volleyball, before both forces came
Reflecting on our roots and heritage
while visiting the Battle of Salamanca
Away from
training,
a friendly
rivalry
emerged
during a
sports day
together for a meal; kindly prepared in a
traditional earth oven by A Company’s Fijian
contingent.
During the deployment there was time to
explore Rgimental history through battlefield
studies at Salamanca and Corunna; where a
wreath was laid at the grave of Sir John Moore.
The development of cutting-edge tactics and
thinking overlooking the same ground that our
Riflemen changed the conduct of warfare 200
years before was inspiring.
Lt Conor MacKenzie
2IC A Company
RIFLES The Bugle 33
